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Smoke, Lots of Smoke
We are in the early stages of a long trip. We had the bus serviced in Nashville and went to Memphis, no problems. When leaving Memphis yesterday, I noticed some white smoke under acceleration. A little ways down the road I stopped and checked all fluids again, all fine. No DDEC codes, no performance issues.
This AM we made an embarrassing amount of white smoke on high idle. I shut down, checked everything, and changed the Racor for good measure. No change in smoke.
Drove about 300 miles into New Orleans. All along the way we had black/gray smoke under load, and white smoke sitting still on high idle. Maybe a little loss of performance. Still no DDEC codes or consumption of fluids, other that fuel.
I am beta testing Ray’s iPad app and we noted “Ambient Air Temp”, as reported on the diagnostic port to match up with the dash OAT when sitting still and varying from 100+ to almost 150 going down the road. Other temps were rock steady, including “Intake Air Temp”.
What’s going on?
Ambient air temp failure? Where is it located?
Injector(s)? Can injectors be replaced in the field?
Something else?Hoping to have DD come out in the AM.
Thanks for any help!
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20 Replies
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black or dark gray= to much fuel or not enough air. Did they change air cleaner.? Has turbo boot/ hose came off or loose? Easy Checks you can make .
John unless you got high miles on your coach It doesn’t sound like injectors. Bob
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John,
Usually white smoke is engine coolant entering the combustion
chamber and the result is steam (white smoke). Unburnt fuel will also
cause white smoke, but more than likely there would be a misfire associated
with that problem and I think you would notice that. As Bob said black
smoke is usually too much fuel or too little air. Do you know if you
have an
EGR emission level engine? I doubt if you do being a 2003. I think they
started in 04. the reason I ask is because the EGR cooler can fail
resulting in engine coolant mixing with the recirculated exhaust gas
which goes back into the combustion chamber. A leaking EGR cooler is not
unheard of.
The ambient air should not fluctuate that much, I going to
guess
the app has reversed the ambient and the intake air temp sensors. The
intake air temp sensor will vary that much because when the turbo
compresses
the air it can be pushing 200 degrees even after the charge air cooler when the engine is under load. Let us know what the actual
problem is, I hope it’s something simple.Ken
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As Ken pointed out moisture water.=white smoke. Hopeing it is a by product in this case(fingers crossed) Check color of Transmission Fluid. If any differant than normal ask Question. Choclate milk=do not drive. Please don’t get alarmed but check these things out. Peace of mind is worth it in the long run. Will save you big Bucks!!!
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John,
Rather than guess at this it might be worth a call to the Detroit 24 hour line. Both answers about white smoke are correct in that coolant will do that (but you can smell it if that is the case) but so will unburnt raw fuel appear as white smoke.
With the information you get from the reader you will be able to help Detroit with the analysis. I have used the 24 hour number and the folk who answer are very good. Please report back.
I think the clue is the temperature swings and how DDEC is responding to that data.
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Guess we are use to working with guys who have to do their own diagonosis (sp) to much. Didn’t mean to alarm John . Things I would ck out. The trans ? is valid in that time frame. Wish everyone a great vacation and trouble free. Bob.
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John,
I just thought of a likely cause and this depends how major the service
was. To service certain items the tubes to the charge air cooler may
need to be removed. If one of clamps on the blue silicone hoses was left
lose or the boot was damaged it would leak boost. This would cause
black smoke under load (not enough air to the engine) and at idle there
needs to be a tiny amount of pressure on compressor side of the turbo,
if there isn’t the turbo compressor seal can leak engine oil into the
intake track. The smoke from burning engine oil usually has a blue tint,
but sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two types of smoke.Ken
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Could you share that number, please? Thank you
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Sounds to me like a turbo going bad or the wastegate could be stuck open
good luck
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I don’t have the 24 hour help number for Detroit Diesel at my fingertips, but it is on the side of my engine block.
If it is really needed I will go to the garage and get it. It is also listed on my list of Prevost numbers.
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Whenever you have a chance – to also have it in the event I might need it would be nice.
Thank you
Keith
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Kieth and all…….
The Detroit Diesel emergency help line is 1-800-445-1980
That fast response is just another service we provide. The bill is in the mail.
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Okay. Here is the answer:
Leaky Injector #1
The local DD shop sent out a technician this AM. He was able to quickly determine that Cylinder #1 was at fault, and he strongly favored and injector problem. We unplugged and made the trek across the river to Harvey, LA. Three and one half hours and one new injector later all was well!
Thanks for all the inputs, I was very aware to watch for coolant and oil level changes after an oil cooler failed in a Hatteras yacht leading to a rebuilt.
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Enjoy. nice to here you got a honest guy. Post Dealer name if you care to. Bob
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The DD shop I used was Stewart & Stevenson.
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A long time back – maybe two years ago – S & S loaned me their old and dusty DDEC tester without any questions, other than my name and phone number. Not that it gets used – ever – any more, but I was so pleased to be able to find a dealer that was trusting.
BTW, I did return it !!
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